For those mailing packages to friends and loved ones in the military overseas, Christmas comes early. And Hanukkah comes even earlier.
It depends on how you plan to send it, but if it's traveling the slowest way - parcel post - mail that package by Nov. 12 to get it there by Dec. 25, according to recommended holiday shipping dates provided by the Military Postal Service Agency.
Hanukkah begins Dec. 1 this year, so you'll need to send it 24 days earlier - by Oct. 19 - if it's going parcel post.
Here are the other recommended mail deadlines. Subtract 24 days from each deadline to get it there in time for Hanukkah:
- Space Available Mail (SAM): Nov. 20 to contingency locations (APO/FPO/DPO AE Zip 093); all other overseas military locations by Nov. 26.
- Parcel Airlift Mail (PAL): Dec. 1 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 3.
- Priority Mail: Dec. 4 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 10.
- First-class cards and letters: Dec. 4 to contingency locations; all others by Dec. 10
- Express Mail Military Services: Not available to contingency locations; other locations by Dec. 18. Check with your local post office to determine if this service is available to a particular APO/FPO/DPO address.
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